Despite dry conditions across much of New South Wales and Queensland, a strong buying gallery turned out for the Booragul Angus annual bull sale at “Downfield”, Piallaway, on Wednesday.
Of the 70 bulls offered, 58 sold at auction for an 82 per cent clearance rate, with the remainder selling after the fall of the hammer.
Averaging $7,862, the sale topped at $16,000 for Booragul Jacko M143, and was purchased by Hardy Woodard, Knockbreak Partnership, Eidsvold, Queensland.
The 2016 spring-drop bull tipped the scales at 905 kilograms and measured 41 centimeters in scrotal circumference, with an estimated breeding value (EBV) of +6.8 for eye muscle area (EMA), +64 for carcase and top 50 per cent for intramuscular fat (IMF).
The second top-priced bull, Booragul Emporer M114, was also purchased by a Queenslander, going home with Consolidated Pastoral Company’s Jason Purcell, “Allawah”, Banana, for $15,000.
The 2016 winter-drop bull tipped the scales at 830 kilograms and measured 42 centimeters in scrotal circumference, with an estimated breeding value (EBV) of +3.3 for eye muscle area (EMA), +61 for carcase and 55 per cent for intramuscular fat (IMF).
Mr Purcell was also the top volume buyer on the day, taking home 11 bulls to top $15,000 and average $10,181.
Mr Purcell said the four higher-priced bulls would be heading to the stud at “Allawah”, Banana, while the remainder would be sent to Newcastle Waters, Northern Territory, to become part of the company’s multiplier herd.
“The Booragul bulls are exceptionally good cattle, they hold their condition very well and they're dead quiet,” Mr Purcell said.
“The quality's there and the data is there; they're just a good all-round package.”
Mr Purcell said Consolidated Pastoral Company had branched out into Angus bloodlines in recent years for a number of reasons.
“Above everything else is fertility to lift the calving percentages and pregnancy rates,” he said.
“Also, the crossbred cattle, because of hybrid vigor, will grow faster and put on more weight.”
Four lots of commercial females, pregnancy-tested-in-calf, were also offered at the sale, but only one lot sold at auction.
The Miller family of Walarobba purchased the five heifers which are due to start calving on June 24 for $1,800 a head.
Booragul Angus stud principal Tim Vincent said he was relieved with the results of the day’s sale.
“It’s a relief under the current seasonal conditions to have so many people show faith in what we’re doing and to back themselves up under the hardest times that I’ve seen,” he said.
“The strength in the top of the catalogue was very good and nearly all of the passed-in bulls have sold.
“We had a few new faces and our good, regular clients, but inquiry was naturally quite quiet compared to other years.”
Mr Vincent said despite the dry conditions, they were really happy with how their bulls presented on the day.
“The dry conditions meant it was just an earlier preparation,” he said.
“We grew a lot of extra feed which really came to nothing, and we just had to supplement them for the last six weeks to get them where we wanted them.
“We had more bulls this year because we’ve had pretty big demand so we bred them.
“That obviously worked against us a bit, but we breed them to sell them and we’re just pleased we’ve been able to do it.”
Auctioneer Paul Dooley said new and repeat clients made the sale successful in such testing times.
“There were a lot less people here than last year, but that’s just reflecting the conditions.
“The bulls were excellent despite the challenges of the season and there was really solid support from long term clients.”
The sale was conducted by Elders Tamworth, and Paul Dooley, Tamworth, was the auctioneer.